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The Aconcagua Provincial Park was founded in 1983,
under the Provincial Law Number 4807. The park is situated 180
Km (112mi) east of Mendoza, in the region of Las Heras, and only
miles east of the Chile border.
The park covers some 71,000 hectares (175,444 acres), protecting
an important sector of the central Andes, with its main attraction
being the Aconcagua Mt, with its peak reaching 6,962 meters
(22,841ft), making it the tallest mountain in the Americas. The
zone stands out because of its glaciers, like reservoirs of sweet
water, holding archaeological remains inside.
The origin of the name Aconcagua derives from the Quechua "Akun-ka-agua", which means "Sentinel of Rock".
The region is characterized by being arid and rocky, with tall
peaks, permanently covered in snow. The vegetation is scarce and
covers the hills until 4,000 meters (13,123ft) in altitude, with
such herbs as coirón, and shrubs such as yellow brushwood. The
animals in the region are also scarce and demonstrate special
adaptations to combat the dry conditions. One of the most common
birds is the majestic condor, also called the King of the
Andes.
This region gained historic value because General Don Jose de San
Martin crossed over it in 1818, to liberate Chile from
Spanish rule, as part of his conquest for independence. Later, on
January 14, 1897, Matías Zurbriggen, a member of the
Fitzgerald expedition, reached the summit, being the first person
to do so. Since then, mountaineers from all over the world come in
the summer time to scale the defiant walls and reach its
peak.
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Location
Province of Mendoza. Located 180km (112mi) from the city of
Mendoza.
When to go
All year long.
Attractions
Aconcagua Mt, Horcones Lagoon, Plaza de Mulas or Plaza
Francia.
How to get there
From Mendoza take Route 7.
Activities
Excursions, camping, climbing, mountaineering, trekking.
Services
Accommodation, food, transportation.
Surroundings
Cacheuta hot springs, Valley of Potrerillos, Uspallata, Punta
de Vacas, Tupungato Hill, Puente del Inca.
Climate
The climate is cold with permanent snow. The rainfall
accumulates to 100-200mm (4-8 inches) annually.
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